We are delighted to announce that Nathan Young has successfully defended his dissertation, entitled Modernity’s Other: Nostalgia for Village Life in Turkey, an exploration of the many ways that rural lifeways are lived, imagined and repackaged for an increasingly cosmopolitan Turkish subject. Combining historical, literary, philological and ethnographic research, Nathan explores how nostalgia for village life works among residents of Izmir and Ankara, offering a counterpoint to the pursuit of the modernity ideal enshrined in Ataturk’s originary vision for the nation. Advisor Morgan Liu, and committee members Katherine Borland, Kendra McSweeney, and Johanna Sellman applaud Nathan’s poised and expansive defense during his June 17^th examination via Zoom. We look forward to the moment when we can celebrate his achievement in person.  Until then, please join us in sending virtual Nathan congratulations!